Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
338. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the status of support for a community (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of enterprise and employment initiatives, given its 84% unemployment rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5362/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that there is a comprehensive consultation process underway, led by my Department, to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to improve the situation for the Traveller and Roma communities. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) and Phase 2 (identification and agreement of high level objectives under each agreed theme) of that consultation process have been completed. The final phase, Phase 3 (identification of detailed actions to achieve each agreed objective, with associated time-scales, key performance indicators, institutional responsibilities and monitoring arrangements), will commence in May 2016 and will conclude with submission of a final draft version of a new Inclusion Strategy to Government as soon as possible thereafter. This process will provide a new set of specific actions that need to be taken to bring about a real improvement in quality of life for Travellers and Roma. It is intended that the revised Inclusion Strategy will run from 2016 to 2020 and that it will be in place as early as possible in 2016.
A number of cross-cutting themes have emerged in the consultation process one of which is employment. My Department's role is that of policy coordination; implementation of policy in relation to employment is a matter for the Departments with responsibility for that area.
